§3785. Sanctions

An individual may not be sanctioned under this program or Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families for failure to participate in the ASPIRE-TANF program if that failure
to participate is based on good cause. Each individual participating in an ASPIRE-TANF
orientation must receive written and oral notice of what constitutes good cause for
nonparticipation in ASPIRE-TANF including the domestic violence exception. Good cause
for failure to participate in this program must be found when there is reasonable
and verifiable evidence of: [1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §20 (AMD).]

1.Illness or incapacitation.
The individual's illness, incapacity or advanced age, or the illness or incapacity
of a household member, that requires the individual to provide care in the home;

8.Crisis or special circumstance.
A crisis, special circumstance or other reason that the department determines to
be good cause that causes an individual to be absent from or discontinue a department
activity about which the department has been advised, including lack of transportation
or child care necessary for participation when the individual does not have reasonable
access to that service and the department cannot offer a reasonable alternative to
enable the individual to participate. If an individual has access to transportation that is reasonable under the circumstances
through any program at the department, the individual is ineligible to receive an
exemption based on lack of transportation; or

[
2017, c. 284, Pt. NNNNNNN, §14 (AMD)
.]

9.Good cause.

[
1989, c. 839, §8 (RP)
.]

10.Caretakers of children under 6 years of age.

[
1995, c. 418, Pt. A, §28 (RP)
.]

11.Net loss of cash income.

[
1995, c. 418, Pt. A, §28 (RP)
.]

12.Other good cause.

[
2017, c. 256, §2 (RP)
.]

13.Domestic violence.
Inability to participate due to domestic violence when the individual is unable
to participate because of physical injuries or the psychological effects of abuse;
because of legal proceedings, counseling or other activities related to abuse; because
the abuser actively interferes with the individual's participation; because the location
puts the individual at risk; or for other good cause related to domestic violence.
For the purposes of this subsection, reasonable and verifiable evidence may include
but is not limited to the following:

A. Court, medical, law enforcement, child protective, social services, psychological
or other records that establish that the individual has been a victim of domestic
violence; or [1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §24 (NEW).]

B. Sworn statements from persons other than the individual with knowledge of the circumstances
affecting the individual. [1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §24 (NEW).]